Mechanically adjustable work station with optional retractable work support ledge

ABSTRACT

A work station with a built-in electric mechanical lift that will allow a user to adjust a work support member to a more ergonomically correct position (similar to a tilted drafting station) includes primary and, preferably, secondary work support members. A lifting structure urged by an actuator engages the primary work support member for pivoting from a position coplanar with the second work support member to a position at an angle relative to the secondary work support member. One or more structural support members are positioned to support the primary and secondary work support members, the lifting structure, and the actuator. The lifting structure includes first and second lifting arms pivotably connected to one another. A desk of any configuration has a work support member with at least one pop-up ledge engaged to a touch latch assembly configured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position inside the work support member or at a second extended position extending from the work support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a desk or work station which can beused as a traditional work surface, and additionally, the work surface'sposition can be angularly changed in relation to the user, similar to atilted drafting table or drafting station. In the present application,the term “work station” is used to refer to a desk or a work station ora drafting station, and these terms are deemed to be interchangeable.Similarly, the terms “drafting station” and “drafting table” are usedinterchangeably. An electric lift mechanism allows the user to adjustthe work surface from horizontal throughout a wide range of angularpositions and back to horizontal. This adjustability creates a custom,more ergonomically correct and, therefore, beneficial position for theuser. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a work stationthat includes at least one retractable ledge to secure work itemsthrough the effect of gravity on a tilted desk or work station tofurther serve the enhancement of the ergonomic benefit to the user,again similar to the benefits derived from using a tilted draftingstation.

Desk or work station surfaces which are raised or tilted by motorizedmechanisms are known in the art. Furthermore, utilizing retractable orremovable ledges to secure items on a desk is known in the art. However,there is still a need for desks which can, with the use of a motor,easily and conveniently adjust from a flat, horizontal desk or workstation to a tilted adjustable work surface as typified by draftingstations or drafting tables, and the present invention satisfies thisneed. Furthermore, retractable ledges that are easily and selectivelyplaced in one of two different positions and remain in such position asdesired are also needed and such need is satisfied by the presentinvention, optionally, but especially, in combination with the deskdescribed above. Additionally, the mechanism for lifting all or aportion of a desk or work station to adjust the work surface(s) shouldbe simple and inexpensive, features that are satisfied by the presentinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a work station havinga work support member and an electrically powered lifting structure thatwill allow a user to adjust the work support member to an ergonomicposition, comprising: a primary work support member having a top, worksupport surface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining a firstplane, the lifting structure being positioned to engage the bottomsurface to pivot the primary work support member about a first pivotaxis from a first position to a second position, the first pivot axisbeing at or proximate to an edge portion of the primary work supportmember; an actuator positioned to urge the lifting structure to pivotthe primary support member about the first pivot axis; and one or morestructural support members positioned to support the primary worksupport member, the lifting structure, and the actuator; wherein thefirst plane at the second position is at an acute angle with respect tothe first plane at the first position; and wherein the lifting structureincludes a first lifting arm having first and second ends and a secondlifting arm having first and second ends, the first ends beingassociated with the actuator and the second ends being associated withthe primary work support member, the first and second lifting arms beingpivotably connected to one another at a location between their ends at asecond pivot axis, each of the first ends of the lifting arms pivotingabout a third axis and each of the second ends of the lifting armspivoting about a fourth axis.

More particularly, this first aspect of the invention comprises amechanically adjustable work station with an electrically poweredlifting structure that will allow a user to adjust the position of thework surface to a more ergonomically correct position. The work stationincludes a primary work support member having a top, work supportsurface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining a first plane.The work station also includes a lifting structure positioned to engagethe bottom surface to pivot the primary work support member about afirst pivot axis from a first position to a second position, the firstpivot axis being near or close to an edge of the primary work supportmember. Thus, the first pivot axis is at or proximate to an edge portionof the primary work support member. An actuator is positioned to urgethe lifting structure to engage the bottom surface to pivot the primarysupport member about the first pivot axis. The work station optionally,but preferably, has a secondary work support member having an uppersurface, the upper surface defining a second plane and being positionedadjacent to the primary work support member. Also, the desk includes oneor more structural support members positioned to support the primary andsecondary work support members, the lifting structure, and the actuator.At the first position, the first plane and the second plane aresubstantially coplanar, and at the second position, the first plane isat an acute angle with respect to the second plane and with respect tothe first plane at the first position. The lifting structure includes afirst lifting arm having first and second ends and a second lifting armhaving first and second ends. The first ends are associated with theactuator and the second ends are associated with the primary worksupport. The first and second lifting arms are pivotably connected toone another at a location between their ends at a second pivot axis.Each of the first ends of the lifting arms pivot about a third axis andeach of the second ends of the lifting arms pivot about a fourth axis.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a work stationincluding a work support member having a top surface, the top surfacedefining a first plane. The work station has one or more structuralsupport members positioned to support the work support member. The worksupport member includes at least one pop-up ledge having a superiorsurface. The pop-up ledge is engaged to a touch latch assemblyconfigured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position orat a second extended position. At the first retracted position, thesuperior surface is substantially coplanar with the first plane, and atthe second extended position, the superior surface is extended above thefirst plane.

The pop-up ledges can be included in any desk or work station regardlessof configuration, including, but not necessarily limited to, the workstation described above which has an electric mechanical lift mechanismto allow the work surface to be adjusted at an angle to the horizontal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic front isometric view of a mechanicallyadjustable work station according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial front elevation view of themechanically adjustable work station shown in FIG. 1, with the primarywork surface in a first, lowered position;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial front elevation view of themechanically adjustable work station as shown in FIG. 1, where theprimary work surface is in a second, raised or tilted position;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial side elevation and partialcross-sectional view of the mechanically adjustable work station takenalong lines 4-4 of FIG. 2, with the primary work surface in a first,lowered position, and also showing the connection of portions of thefirst and second lifting arms together at a second pivot axis and attheir ends at a third axis to a portion of a lift actuator assembly andat a fourth pivot axis to an upper guide rod or rail;

FIG. 5, which includes FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, shows a schematic partialside elevation and partial cross-sectional view of the mechanicallyadjustable work station taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3, with theprimary work surface in a second, raised or tilted position, and alsoshowing the connection of portions of the first and second lifting armstogether at a second pivot axis and at their ends at a third axis to aportion of a lift actuator assembly and at a fourth pivot axis to anupper guide rod or rail;

FIG. 5A shows a schematic partial side elevation and partialcross-sectional view showing a connection at the second pivot axisbetween a first lifting arm and a second lifting arm.

FIG. 5B shows a schematic partial side elevation and partialcross-sectional view of a connection at a fourth pivot axis between abushing and the guide rod or rail attached to the primary work supportmember;

FIG. 6 shows a partial isometric view of the work station shown in FIG.1, also showing two ledges in an extended position supporting aplurality of papers, representative of work items on the tilted primarywork surface;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show partial cross-sectional views along lines 7-7 ofFIG. 6, where FIG. 7A shows the ledges in a retracted position and FIG.7B shows the ledges in an extended position;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an exemplary touch latch assembly;

FIG. 9 shows a partial side elevation and partial cross-sectional viewof the touch latch assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an isometric and partial cross-sectional view of the touchlatch assembly shown in FIG. 9, being in a retracted position;

FIG. 11A shows an isometric and partial cross-sectional view of thetouch latch assembly shown in FIG. 9, being in a partially extendedposition; and

FIG. 11B shows an isometric and partial cross-sectional view of thetouch latch assembly shown in FIG. 9, being in a fully extendedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Regarding FIGS. 1-3 and 6, a desk or work station 9 is shown, having aprimary work support member 10 with a top work surface 58 and which canbe mechanically adjusted through a lifting structure 20 that is movedwith an electric lift mechanism, resulting in the movement of theprimary work support member 10 from a first, substantially horizontalposition to a second tilted position. FIGS. 1 and 6 show the primarywork support member 10 in the second position. The primary work supportmember 10 has a top work surface 58, which defines a first plane, shownin FIG. 6 as supporting a plurality of papers, representing work items,which also or alternatively can include writing implements, draftingtools, books or anything else. The primary work support member 10 alsohas a bottom surface 60. Essentially, the primary work support member 10is part of a work station and is preferably much longer and wider thanit is thick. In other words, it preferably has a plate-like form. Thework station 9 need not have, but preferably, has a secondary worksupport member 12 having an upper surface 62 defining a second plane.Just like the primary work support member 10, the secondary work supportmember 12 is preferably much longer and wider than it is thick. Theprimary work support member 10 can be adjacent on at least one side, andpreferably two or three sides, to the secondary work support member 12.

The work station 9 also includes the lifting structure 20 positioned toengage the bottom surface 60 to pivot the primary work support member 10about a first pivot axis 16 from the first position to the secondposition, the first pivot axis 16 being at or proximate to an edgeportion of the primary work support member 10, and as shown in FIG. 6, afront edge portion. At the first position, the first plane and thesecond plane are substantially coplanar, and at the second position, thefirst plane is at an acute angle θ with respect to the second plane andis at an acute angle θ with respect to the first plane in the firstposition. Thus, at the first position, the primary and secondary worksupport members 10, 12 are essentially coplanar and preferably form,except for a narrow gap along the border between the primary andsecondary work support members 10, 12, a continuous surface on which auser can work where the desk is utilized as a working surface which isessentially horizontal or at a slight angle to horizontal. In the firstposition, the top surface 58 and upper surface 62 (also referred to asprimary and secondary work surfaces 58, 62) are co-planar, so the anglebetween them is zero. Small differences in height between the first andsecond planes that would not adversely affect work items supported byboth the primary work support member 10 and the secondary work supportmember 12 are considered to still mean that they are substantiallycoplanar. At the second position, the primary and secondary work supportmembers 10, 12 are at an angle θ to one another because of the pivotingof the primary work support member 10. The primary work support member10 at the second position is at an angle θ with respect to the primarywork support member 10 at the first position. The angular range for θcan vary by a number of factors (user requirements, cost, availablespace for the lift mechanism within overall desk design, appearance),but can be customized to a range from any angular dimension between 0and 90, which tilts the back of the primary work support member 10upward (similar to a tilted drafting table). Any range or ranges betweenzero and ninety degrees is envisioned as supported by the presentdisclosure, such as ten degrees to thirty degrees, fifteen degrees totwenty degrees, or any other range. Thus, the primary work supportmember 10 can be used as a fully adjustable work surface with a top,work surface 58 at an angle from the horizontal.

The work station 9 also includes one or more structural support members14 positioned to support the primary and secondary work support members10, 12, the lifting structure 20, and an actuator 18 (described morefully below). The structural support members 14 can be any structure,such as filing cabinets or other structures including drawers, as wellas pedestals, legs, pillars, and/or any other structure that can supportthe primary and/or secondary work support members 10, 12, directly orindirectly. The desk 9 further preferably includes a support frame 22supported by the secondary work support member 12 or by at least one ofthe structural support members 14, and which supportably engages theprimary work support member 10. The support frame 22 preferably includesfirst and/or second and/or third side structures 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c,one of which, such as 22 c shown in FIGS. 1-5, may form or be part of aback wall of the work station 9. Additional structures may form part ofthe support frame 22. Side structures 22 a, 22 b, 22 c are preferablyelongated board-like structures supported by the secondary work supportmember 12 and/or by one or more structural support members 14.Preferably, side structures 22 a and 22 b support the sides of theprimary work support member 10 at opposite sides of a first pivot axis16. However, the primary work support member 10 can be directlysupported by one or more structural support members 14. It is preferredthat the primary support member 10 be indirectly supported by one ormore structural support members 14 through the support frame 22. Thisway, the support frame 22 can be attached to off-the-shelf supportmembers 14 and avoid the need to modify existing support members 14 tosupport the primary work support member 10.

The desk 9 also preferably, but not necessarily, includes a slide-outshelf 24, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, slidably supported by the supportframe 22. Again, it is also possible for the slide-out shelf 24 to bedirectly supported by the one or more structural support members 14rather than the support frame 22, but it is preferable for the slide-outshelf to be supported by the support frame 22.

The primary work support member 10 preferably includes pivot rods 90which define the first pivot axis 16. The pivot rods 90 preferably areshort rods of circular cross-section that extend into apertures 92 (seeFIG. 3) or bushings formed within the secondary work support member 12,the support frame 22 or the structural support members 14 and the sidesproximate to the front edge of a front portion of the primary worksupport member 10 to engage the secondary work support member 12. Theprimary work support member 10 then pivots about the first axis 16 whichis axially aligned with the pivot rods 90. If desired, one pivot rod 90could extend through a bore from one side of the primary work supportmember 10, which may be lined with an elongated bushing, and oppositeends of the pivot rod 90 would then extend into apertures 92 in thesecondary work support member 12 that can accommodate the pivot rod 90rotatably so that the pivot rod 90 will be supported by the secondarywork support member but also be permitted to rotate. Other ways torotatably support the primary work support member 10 are envisioned bythe present invention.

Regarding FIGS. 2-5B, the lifting structure 20 includes a first liftingarm 32 having first and second ends 50, 68 and a second lifting arm 34having first and second ends 52, 70, respectively, the first and secondlifting arms 32, 34 being pivotably connected to one another at alocation between their ends at a second pivot axis 46 formed by a pin,rod, rivet, screw, or other structure that allows pivoting of thelifting arms 32, 34 about the second pivot axis 46. To lift the primarywork support member 10 from the first position to the second position,the first lifting arm 32 and the second lifting arm 34 pivot about thesecond pivot axis 46, a third pivot axis 102, and a fourth pivot axis104, such that the primary work support member 10 pivots about the firstpivot axis 16 from the first position to the second position.

The force to pivot the first and second lifting arms 32, 34 is generatedby an actuator 18, which is positioned to urge the lifting structure 20to engage the bottom surface 60 to pivot the primary work support member10 about the first pivot axis 16. Essentially, the lifting structure 20is connected to the bottom surface 60 to push the bottom surface 60 topivot the primary work support member 10 about the first pivot axis 16.The lifting structure 20 can also be connected to one or more sidesurfaces 82 (see FIG. 6) of the primary work support member 10 to beable to pivot the primary work support member 10. However, theconnection to the bottom surface 60 is preferred, as explained in moredetail below.

The actuator 18 preferably includes a motor 26, preferably an electricmotor (DC or AC, but preferably DC powered by an AC transformer), toprovide the force for pivoting the primary work support member 10 fromthe first, lower position to the second, tilted position. The actuator18 has the motor 26 rotatably connected to a lead screw 27 to turn thelead screw 27, where the lead screw 27 has a first threaded portion 28and preferably a second threaded portion 29 that is preferably reversethreaded compared to the first threaded portion 28 and is operablyconnected to the lifting structure 20 to urge the primary work supportmember 10 from the first position to the second position. The lead screw27 is preferably rotatably connected to a first bushing 30 and to asecond bushing 48, where the bushings 30 and 48 have internal threadsmatched to the threads of the lead screw 27. The first bushing 30 ispivotably connected as shown by a pivot connection 31, forming acompound pivot joint, to a first end 50 of the first lifting arm 32 suchthat rotation of the lead screw 27 causes linear motion along androtational motion about the third pivot axis 102 by the first bushing 30through at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the lead screw27 and pivoting of the lifting arms 32, 34 about the second pivot axis46. The second bushing 48 is pivotably connected as shown by a pivotconnection 49, to a first end 52 of the second lifting arm 34. Therotatable connection between the second threaded portion 29 of the leadscrew 27 and the second bushing 48 is preferably inversely related tothe rotatable connection between the lead screw 27 and the first bushing30, such that upon rotation of the lead screw in one direction, sayclockwise for example, the first bushing 30 and the second bushing 48move in opposite linear directions. The second ends 68, 70,respectively, of the first and second lifting arms 32, 34 are pivotablyconnected to third and fourth bushings 54, 56, by respectively by pivotjoints 55, 57. Also, pivoting of the first and second lifting arms 32,34, and the first and second bushings 30, 48 about the third pivot axis102 via the pivot connections 31 and 49, each forming compound pivotjoints and pivoting of the first and second lifting arms 32, 34 andthird and fourth bushings 54, 56 about the fourth pivot axis 104 via thepivot connections 55 and 57, each forming other compound pivot joints,also occurs.

The third and fourth bushings 54, 56 move along and rotate about thefourth pivot axis 104, which is comprised of one or more respectiveupper rods 74 positioned parallel to the lead screw 27, the one or moreupper rods 74 being connected to the bottom surface 60 such that themovement of the first and second bushings 30, 48 towards one anotherwill cause a sliding of the third and fourth bushings 54, 56 towards oneanother and an urging of the primary work support member 10 from thefirst position to the second position. The rods 74 may have a circularcross-section, a square or rectangular cross-section, a T-shapedcross-section, an I-shaped cross-section or any other suitable shape,such that the term “rod” with respect to rod 74, as used herein, mayalso be include a rail having a cross-section other than a circularcross-section.

It is also possible for the motor 26 to be a linear motor that causes arod to move linearly (the motor 26 and the rod in combination being alinear actuator). Thus, rather than having a lead screw 27 which rotatesto move the first bushing 30, the motor 26 can merely push a rodlinearly, and the first lifting arm 32 can be pivotably connected to thelinearly movable rod. Other ways to push the end 50 of the first liftingarm 32 are also envisioned in the present invention. For example, a rackand pinion assembly can be utilized as well as a movable chain. Furtherexplanation regarding various types of actuators 18 is unnecessary sincetheir structures are well-known in the art.

The desk/work station 9 also includes at least one controller 76operatively connected to the actuator 18 and configured to command theactuator 18 to operate in a forward direction to urge the primary worksupport member 10 from the first position to the second position, and ina reverse direction to urge the primary work support member 10 from thesecond position to the first position. The controller 76 can be any typeof switch, keypad, wired or wireless remote control, or other device tocommunicate with the actuator 18 to activate the motor movement in aforward direction or in a reverse direction. The controller 76 can beused to set the speed at which the lifting structure 20 raises or lowersthe primary work support member 10. Additionally, the user may want topreset angles for the position of the primary work support member 10,and the controller can optionally be programmable to set differentpositions to which the primary work support member 10 will move,including multiple positions that can be identified with a keypad orother input device to automatically have the primary work support member10 move to a desired position. The speed and multiple positionsdescribed above can be saved to a memory device (e.g., a magneticrecorder, a suitably programmed computer, or other memory devices wellknown in the art) for use at a later time by one or more users, each ofwhom may program in their own settings, if desired.

The movement of the lifting structure 20 will now be explained inreference to FIGS. 2-5. FIG. 2 shows the primary work support member 10in the first lowered position. A user then activates the controller 76to command the motor 26 to move in a forward direction. As a result, thelead screw 27 will be rotated by the motor 26 in a forward direction.The rotating threads of the lead screw 27 will push the first and secondbushings 30, 48 in opposite longitudinal directions of the lead screw 27(i.e., the third pivot axis 102), and about the third pivot axis 102.The movement of the first bushing 30 is shown with Arrow A in FIG. 2,which will cause a pivoting of the first lifting arm 32 about the secondpivot axis 46, about the third pivot axis 102 and about the fourth pivotaxis 104 (see FIGS. 4 & 5). The movement of the first bushing 30 willalso cause an exertion of force on the third bushing 54 as shown byArrow B in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, Arrow B has an upwardcomponent and an inward component. The movement of fourth bushing 56 issimilar, represented by Arrow C. The upward component of the force shownby Arrows B and C will push the upper rod or a rail 74 upward and theinward component of the force shown by Arrows B and C will cause thethird bushing 54 and fourth bushing 56 to slide inward along the upperrod 74, and to rotate about rod 74 (i.e., to rotate about the fourthpivot axis 104 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)).

FIG. 4 shows the third and fourth pivot axes 102, 104 when the primarywork support member 10 is in a first position (not lifted). FIGS. 5 and5B show the third and fourth pivot axes 102, 104 when the primary worksupport member 10 is in a second position (lifted). A comparison betweenFIG. 4 on the one hand, and FIGS. 5 and 5B on the other hand, shows themovement of the first bushing 30 and the first and second lifting arms32, 34 about the third pivot axis 102, and the movement of the fourthbushing 56 and the first and second lifting arms 32, 34 about the fourthpivot axis 104.

The upper rod 74 is connected to at least rod mount 84, and alsopreferably to rod mounts 86 and 88. Rod mount 84 and also preferably rodmounts 86 and 88, are connected to and evenly spaced laterally along aback portion of the bottom surface 60 of the primary work support member10. It is possible for rod 74 to be, for example, two rods which areboth connected to the central rod mount 88.

The upward force of the rod 74 is transferred to at least the rod mount84, preferably also rod mounts 86 and 88, and to bottom surface 60 ofthe primary work support member 10 to push the primary work supportmember 10 to pivot about the first pivot axis 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 6).The locations of the rod mounts 84, 86, and 88 can vary, but arepreferably at a back portion of the primary work support member 10 so asto maximize the distance between the first pivot axis 16 and the rodmounts to increase the torque applied to the primary work support member10 about the first pivot axis 16.

The engagement of the second bushing 48 to the second lifting arm 34 andthe lead screw 27 will also urge the second lifting arm 34 to pivotabout the second pivot axis 46 in an opposite direction as the firstlifting arm 32. As explained above, the threads of the lead screw 27which engage the threads of the second bushing 48, and the threads ofthe second bushing 48 are such that the second bushing 48 moves in anopposite direction as the first bushing 30. When the motor 26 isoperated in a reverse direction, the opposite movements take place andthe primary work support member 10 moves (to tilt) down.

Regarding FIGS. 1-3, the lifting structure 20 is supported by a sideframe, such as back side support 22 c (also referred to as third sidestructure 22 c or back side structure 22 c), which is preferably part ofthe frame 22, but can be separate from the frame 22. The liftingstructure 20 can be screwed, riveted, glued, or otherwise attached tothe back side structure 22 c. For example, lead screw mounts 96 can beattached to the back side structure 22 c, and the lead screw 27 can besupported by the screw mounts 96, which would be screwed or riveted orglued to the back side structure 22 c. The actuator 18 may also bescrewed, riveted, glued, or otherwise attached by a mounting bracket 100that be screwed, riveted, glued, or otherwise attached to the frame 22,such as to the back side structure 22 c. Alternatively, the actuator 18may be screwed, riveted, glued, or otherwise attached directly or by anyother suitable mounting bracket to other side supports, 22 a or 22 b, orotherwise to the support frame 22 or to a supporting structure 14.

Regarding FIGS. 6-11B, another aspect of the present invention involvesa work support member, which may be, but is not necessarily, the primarywork support member 10 of the work station 9 of the first aspect of thepresent invention, that includes a first pop-up ledge 36, optionally asecond pop-up ledge 38, and potentially more pop-up ledges. The pop-upledge aspect of the present invention will be described for conveniencewith respect to the primary work surface 58 of the work station 9.

The pop-up ledges 36, 38 each includes a respective superior surface 66.Each pop-up ledge 36, 38 is engaged to at least one, and preferably atleast two touch latch assemblies 40 configured to maintain the pop-upledges 36, 38 at a first retracted position shown in FIG. 7A or at asecond extended position shown in FIG. 7B. At the first retractedposition, the superior surfaces 66 are substantially coplanar with thefirst plane that is coextensive with the top, work surface 58 of theprimary work support member 10, and at the second extended position, thesuperior surfaces 66 are extended above the first plane. Thus, theprimary work support member 10 has one or more pop-up ledges 36, 38which can independently be extended (“popped up”) or retracted (“poppeddown”) by a user to accommodate work papers, writing implements or otherutensils, and other desirable work items, without their falling off theprimary work support member 10, especially when the work surface istilted from the horizontal. When a pop-up ledge 36, 38 is at the firstretracted position, the pop-up ledge 36, 38 must be pushed by a user tothen move to the second extended position, otherwise the pop-up ledgewill remain at the first retracted position. When the pop-up ledge 36,38 is at the second extended position, if a user wants to put it back inthe first retracted position, the user must push the pop-up ledge 36, 38to at least the first retracted position and preferably slightly beyondthe first retracted position for the touch latch assembly to engage thepop-up ledge 36, 38 to be at the first retracted position.

Each touch latch assembly 40 preferably includes a spring 114 configuredto urge the pop-up ledge 36, 38 from the first retracted position to thesecond extended position. In the first retracted position, the pop-upledges 36, 38 are positioned within an elongated channel 78 formed inthe primary work support member 10. The pop-up ledges 36, 38 preferablyextend along a longitudinal direction of the primary work support member10 substantially parallel to a first edge 80 of the primary work supportmember. Any touch latch assembly can be utilized in the presentinvention. The structure of touch latch assemblies 40 is known in theart. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,986,193 and 5,301,616 are directedto various types of exemplary touch latches and the disclosures of eachof these patents is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Regarding FIGS. 8-11B, an exploded view of a touch latch assembly 40,such as a magnetic touch latch, Item No. 98568 available from RocklerWoodworking and Hardware Catalog of the Rockler Companies, Inc., isshown at FIG. 8. There, a threaded base 110 is configured to receive athreaded sleeve 112. The spring 114 is designed to penetrate thethreaded sleeve 112 along with a portion of a post 118. An insert 122and a magnet 120 are configured to be inserted into the post 118. Atabbed rotating guide wheel 116 is positioned around the post 118 toengage the spring 114 in a direction towards compression of the spring114. A washer 130, such as a washer made of steel or other magneticmaterial, is configured to be positioned opposite the magnet 120 of theinsert 122. The washer 130 is not necessary for the use of the touchlatch assembly 40 in the present invention, as the top of the post 118can bear directly against an underside portion of the ledges 36 or 38 toengage the first pop-up ledge 36 or second pop-up ledge 38 to urge thefirst or second pop-up ledges 36, 38 up and down. However, for a morepositive connection between the touch latch assembly 40 and the ledges36, 38, the washer 130 preferably is retained within a blind hole 124extending into each of the ledges 36, 38, from underneath the ledges 36,38 by attaching (adhesively, mechanically, or otherwise) the washer 130to an inner surface of the ledges 36, 38 opposite the superior surface66 at the end of the blind hole 124.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the touch latch assembly 40 in a contractedposition, corresponding to the retracted position of the pop-up ledges36, 38. FIGS. 11A and 11B show the touch latch assembly 40 in apartially extended position and in a fully extended position,respectively. The spring 114 urges the tabbed rotating guide wheel 116outward from the threaded sleeve 112, but the tabs of the tabbedrotating guide wheel 116 extend and are retained within a guide channel117 formed within the inner surface of the threaded sleeve. The guidechannel 117 has ridges which retain the tabbed rotating guide wheel in aretracted or extended position on alternate presses of the touch latchpost 118, based on pressure applied to the superior surface 66 of eachof the pop-up ledges 36, 38. Thus, the latch assembly 40 can expand andurge pop-up ledges 36, 38 to move from a retracted position to anextended position, as desired by the user.

The present invention is also directed to a work station with a tiltedwork surface having at least one pop-up ledge 36, 38, of anyconstruction, and not necessarily a desk or work station according tothe first aspect of the invention. The pop-up ledges 36, 38 could alsobe embedded in a flat desk or other work surface, if desired, such as adesk or tray of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle travelling overroads, like a car, van, bus, truck, or the like, or a train, as well asairplanes and boats. However, the combination of pop-up ledges 36, 38with a desk or work station with a mechanically adjustable work surfaceis preferred.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A work station having a work support member and an electricallypowered lifting structure that will allow a user to adjust a position ofthe work support member, comprising: a primary work support memberhaving a top, work support surface and a bottom surface, the top surfacedefining a first plane, the lifting structure being positioned to engagethe bottom surface to pivot the primary work support member about afirst pivot axis from a first position to a second position, the firstpivot axis being at or proximate to an edge portion of the primary worksupport member; an actuator positioned to urge the lifting structure topivot the primary support member about the first pivot axis; and one ormore structural support members positioned to support the primary worksupport member, the lifting structure, and the actuator; wherein thefirst plane at the second position is at an acute angle with respect tothe first plane at the first position; and wherein the lifting structureincludes a first lifting arm having first and second ends and a secondlifting arm having first and second ends, the first ends beingassociated with the actuator and the second ends being associated withthe primary work support member, the first and second lifting arms beingpivotably connected to one another at a location between their ends at asecond pivot axis, each of the first ends of the lifting arms pivotingabout a third axis and each of the second ends of the lifting armspivoting about a fourth axis.
 2. The work station according to claim 1,further comprising: a secondary work support member having an uppersurface, the upper surface defining a second plane and being positionedadjacent to the primary work support member; wherein the one or morestructural support members are positioned to support the secondary worksupport member; and wherein at the first position, the first plane andthe second plane are substantially coplanar, and at the second position,the first plane is at an acute angle with respect to the second plane.3. The work station according to claim 2, further comprising a supportframe supported by the secondary work support member or by at least oneof the structural support members, and which supportably engages theprimary work support member.
 4. The work station according to claim 3,further comprising a slide-out shelf, slidably supported by the supportframe.
 5. The work station according to claim 1, wherein the actuatorincludes a motor rotatably connected to a lead screw to turn the leadscrew, wherein the lead screw has a thread and is operably connected tothe lifting structure to urge the first lifting arm and the secondlifting arm to pivot about the second pivot axis, such that the primarywork support member pivots about the first pivot axis from the firstposition to the second position.
 6. The work station according to claim5, wherein the lead screw has a first threaded portion and is rotatablyconnected to a first bushing having an internal thread matched to thefirst threaded portion of the lead screw and being pivotably connectedto a first end of the first lifting arm such that rotation of the leadscrew causes linear motion of the first bushing along a longitudinallength of the lead screw and pivoting of the lifting arms about thesecond pivot axis.
 7. The work station according to claim 6, wherein thelead screw has a second threaded portion reverse threaded compared tothe first threaded portion, and wherein the first end of the secondlifting arm is pivotably connected to a second bushing having andinternal thread matched to the second threaded portion of the lead screwand which moves along the longitudinal length of the lead screw; whereinthe second ends of the first and second lifting arms are pivotablyconnected to third and fourth bushings, respectively; and wherein thethird and fourth bushings slide along one or more respective rodspositioned parallel to the lead screw, the one or more rods beingconnected to the bottom surface such that the movement of the first andsecond bushings towards one another will cause the third and fourthbushings to slide towards one another and urge the primary work supportmember from the first position to the second position.
 8. The workstation according to claim 1, further comprising a controlleroperatively connected to the actuator and configured to command theactuator to operate in a forward direction to urge the primary worksupport member from the first position to the second position, and in areverse direction to urge the primary work support member from thesecond position to the first position.
 9. A work station comprising: awork support member having a top surface, the top surface defining afirst plane; one or more structural support members positioned tosupport the work support member; wherein the work support memberincludes at least one pop-up ledge having a superior surface; whereinthe pop-up ledge is engaged to at least one touch latch assemblyconfigured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position orat a second extended position; and wherein at the first retractedposition, the superior surface is substantially coplanar with the firstplane, and at the second extended position, the superior surface isextended above the first plane.
 10. The work station according to claim9, wherein the at least one touch latch assembly comprises a springconfigured to urge the pop-up ledge from the first retracted position tothe second extended position; and wherein the pop-up ledge, when in thefirst retracted position, is positioned within an elongated channelformed in the work support member, the pop-up ledge extending in alongitudinal direction of the work support member substantially parallelto a first edge of the work support member.
 11. The work stationaccording to claim 10, wherein the at least one pop-up ledge comprisesfirst and second pop-up ledges positioned substantially parallel to andspaced from one another.
 12. A work station having a work support memberand an electrically powered lifting structure that will allow a user toadjust a position of the work support member, comprising: a primary worksupport member having a top, work support surface and a bottom surface,the top surface defining a first plane, the lifting structure beingpositioned to engage the bottom surface to pivot the primary worksupport member about a first pivot axis from a first position to asecond position, the first pivot axis being at or proximate to an edgeportion of the primary work support member; an actuator positioned tourge the lifting structure to pivot the primary support member about thefirst pivot axis; and one or more structural support members positionedto support the primary work support member, the lifting structure, andthe actuator; wherein the first plane at the second position is at anacute angle with respect to the first plane at the first position;wherein the lifting structure includes a first lifting arm having firstand second ends and a second lifting arm having first and second ends,the first ends being associated with the actuator and the second endsbeing associated with the primary work support, the first and secondlifting arms being pivotably connected to one another at a locationbetween their ends at a second pivot axis, each of the first ends of thelifting arms pivoting about a third axis and each of the second ends ofthe lifting arms pivoting about a fourth axis; wherein the primary worksupport member includes at least one pop-up ledge having a superiorsurface; wherein the pop-up ledge is engaged to a touch latch assemblyconfigured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position orat a second extended position; and wherein at the first retractedposition, the superior surface is substantially coplanar with the firstplane, and at the second extended position, the superior surface isextended above the first plane.
 13. The work station according to claim12, further comprising a secondary work support member having an uppersurface, the upper surface defining a second plane, wherein at the firstposition, the first plane and the second plane are substantiallycoplanar, and at the second position, the first plane is at an acuteangle with respect to the second plane.
 14. The work station accordingto claim 12, further comprising a support frame supported by thesecondary work support member or by at least one of the structuralsupport members, and which supportably engages the primary work supportmember, and further comprising a slide-out shelf, slidably supported bythe support frame.
 15. The work station according to claim 12, whereinthe actuator includes a motor rotatably connected to a lead screw toturn the lead screw, wherein the lead screw has a thread and is operablyconnected to the lifting structure to urge the first lifting arm and thesecond lifting arm to pivot about the second pivot axis, such that theprimary work support member pivots about the first pivot axis from thefirst position to the second position.
 16. The work station according toclaim 15, wherein the lead screw has a first threaded portion and isrotatably connected to a first bushing having an internal thread matchedto the first threaded portion of the lead screw and being pivotablyconnected to a first end of the first lifting arm such that rotation ofthe lead screw causes linear motion of the first bushing along alongitudinal length of the lead screw and pivoting of the lifting armsabout the second pivot axis.
 17. The work station according to claim 16,wherein the lead screw has a second threaded portion reverse threadedcompared to the first threaded portion, and wherein the first end of thesecond lifting arm is pivotably connected to a second bushing having andinternal thread matched to the second threaded portion of the lead screwand which moves along the longitudinal length of the lead screw; whereinthe second ends of the first and second lifting arms are pivotablyconnected to third and fourth bushings, respectively; and wherein thethird and fourth bushings slide along one or more respective rodspositioned parallel to the lead screw, the one or more rods beingconnected to the bottom surface such that the movement of the first andsecond bushings towards one another will cause the third and fourthbushings to slide towards one another and urge the primary work supportmember from the first position to the second position.
 18. The workstation according to claim 12, further comprising a controlleroperatively connected to the actuator and configured to command theactuator to operate in a forward direction to urge the primary worksupport member from the first position to the second position, and in areverse direction to urge the primary work support member from thesecond position to the first position.
 19. The work station according toclaim 12, wherein the at least one pop-up ledge comprises first andsecond pop-up ledges positioned substantially parallel to and spacedfrom one another.
 20. The work station according to claim 12, whereineach touch latch assembly comprises a spring configured to urge thepop-up ledge from the first retracted position to the second extendedposition; and wherein the pop-up ledge, when in the first retractedposition, is positioned within an elongated channel formed in theprimary work support member, the pop-up ledge extending in alongitudinal direction of the primary work support member beingsubstantially parallel to a first edge of the primary work supportmember.